Attachable device having a flexible electronic component

• US 10,782,734 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2017
• Issued: 09/22/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flexterra, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flexterra, Inc.
• Inventors: Inagaki, Philippe, Huitema, Hjalmar Edzer Ayco
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Jerry
• Application Number:
  US15/686,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20180046214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04102 Flexible digitiser, i.e. constructional details for allowing the whole digitising part of a device to be flexed or rolled like a sheet of paper
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/02 Flexible displays
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0086 portable, e.g. battery operated apparatus casings for switching devices H01H9/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/311 Flexible OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 77/111 Flexible substrates
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/549 Organic PV cells

Abstract

A dynamically flexible, attachable article, such as a wristband or an armband, includes a flexible electronic component coupled to a flexible support in a manner that is bendable or conformable to a user'"'"'s wrist or other curved surface in a manner that makes the flexible electronic component easily viewable to the user. The attachable article also includes a connection mechanism disposed proximate to one or both of first and second ends of the attachable article to connect two different portions of the article together.

Claims

1. An attachable article, comprising:

a band having a flexible support and first and second ends;

a flexible electronic component disposed on the flexible support;

a connection mechanism disposed proximate to one or both of the first and second ends of the band to connect two different portions of the article together,

wherein the attachable article is dynamically flexible; and

a mechanism configured to retain a shape of the band when the band is bent,

wherein the flexible support comprises a plurality of links pivotably coupled to one another, each of the plurality of links having a first end having an inward curve and a second end opposite the first end and having an outward curve that is curved in a complementary manner with an inward curve of another adjacent link, and wherein each of the plurality of links comprises at least one first component arranged proximate to the first end and at least one second component arranged proximate to the second end, the at least one first component configured to interact with the at least one second component of a respective second link disposed adjacent the first end, and the at least one second component configured to interact with the at least one first component of a respective third link disposed adjacent the second end, such that the first and second components retain the shape of the band when the band is bent, and

wherein the connection mechanism comprises;

at least one magnet disposed in proximity to each of the first and second ends, the magnets configured to react with one another; and

a mechanical connection structure, and

wherein the mechanism comprises a pin coupled to each of the plurality of links and a slot formed in a middle portion of the each of the plurality of links, the pin of each first link being movably disposed within the slot of a respective second link, each of the slots having a plurality of detents corresponding to a plurality of different bending positions of the band and configured to prevent further movement of the pins, respectively, when the band reaches a desired one of the plurality of different bending positions.

2. The attachable article of claim 1, wherein at least one magnet is disposed on each of the first and second ends.

3. The attachable article of claim 1,

wherein the mechanical connection structure comprises a tab formed on one of the first and second ends and a latch formed at or proximate to the other of the first and second ends, the latch configured to releasably retain the tab to mechanically connect the first and second ends to one another.

4. The attachable article of claim 3, wherein at least one magnet is disposed on each of the first and second ends.

5. The attachable article of claim 3, wherein the latch defines a slot, the tab being releasably insertable into the slot.

6. The attachable article of claim 3, wherein the latch comprises a pair of arms that define a slot, the tab being releasably insertable into the slot.

7. The attachable article of claim 2, wherein the mechanical connection structure comprises a slot formed in the other of the first and second ends, the tab being releasably insertable into the slot.

8. The attachable article of claim 5, wherein the latch is biased, via one or more biasing elements, to retain the tab in the slot.

9. An attachable article, comprising:

a band having a flexible support and first and second ends;

a flexible electronic component disposed on the flexible support;

a connection mechanism disposed proximate to one or both of the first and second ends of the band to connect two different portions of the article together,

wherein the attachable article is dynamically flexible; and

a mechanism configured to retain a shape of the band when the band is bent,

wherein the flexible support comprises a plurality of links pivotably coupled to one another, each of the plurality of links having a first end having an inward curve and a second end opposite the first end having an outward curve that is curved in a complementary manner with an inward curve of another adjacent link, and wherein each of the plurality of links comprises at least one first component arranged proximate to the first end and at least one second component arranged proximate to the second end, the at least one first component configured to interact with the at least one second component of a respective second link disposed adjacent the first end, and the at least one second component configured to interact with the at least one first component of a respective third link disposed adjacent the second end, such that the first and second components retain the shape of the band when the band is bent, and

wherein the mechanism comprises a pin coupled to each of the plurality of links and a slot formed in a middle portion of each of the plurality of links, the pin of each first link being movably disposed within the slot of a respective second link, each of the slots having a plurality of detents corresponding to a plurality of different bending positions of the band and configured to prevent further movement of the pins, respectively, when the band reaches a desired one of the plurality of different bending positions.

10. The attachable article of claim 9, wherein the plurality of detents of each slot are only arranged on one inner surface of the respective slot.

11. The attachable article of claim 9, wherein the connection mechanism comprises at least one magnet disposed in proximity to each of the first and second ends, the magnets configured to react with one another.

12. The attachable article of claim 11, wherein at least one magnet is disposed on each of the first and second ends.

13. The attachable article of claim 9, wherein the connection mechanism further comprises a mechanical connection structure.

14. The attachable article of claim 13, wherein the mechanical connection structure comprises a slot formed in the other of the first and second ends, the tab being releasably insertable into the slot.

15. The attachable article of claim 13, wherein the mechanical connection structure comprises a buckle clasp connected to the first end or the second end.